Campaigners call for tougher cannabis laws

Parents, teachers and politicians will urge the Government to do more to stamp out cannabis abuse today.

The Talking About Cannabis Parental Action Group will also call for the reclassification of the drug to class B in a briefing at the House of Commons,

And they will demand an education programme for the public to be made aware of "scientific and medical facts" about the drug.

A number of speakers including shadow minister for justice Edward Garnier and the United Nations consultant on drugs, Dr Ian Oliver, will talk about the mental health effects of cannabis on children and teenagers, before campaigners hand a petition of more than 600 names to 10 Downing Street.

Debra Bell, chairwoman of the action group, said her eldest son had "given up on life" after he began using cannabis five years ago, aged 14.

She said: "We are also asking the Government to fulfil its promise, made in 2004 at the time cannabis became a class C drug, that we would see a 'massive and consistent' public health education campaign.

"Where is it? A few TV adverts are not enough."

Politicians including Kate Hoey, Labour MP for Vauxhall, Conservative peer Baroness Joyce Anelay and Liberal Democrat Education and Children spokeswoman Baroness Joan Walmsley have also lent their support to the campaign.